2027 Leadership Election

Smart, Strategic, Experienced

When most people hear Ellis Gardner’s slogan, “Go With a Pro!” they think it refers to his NFL football career. Actually, it not only urges them to “go with” a professional REALTOR ^® but also reflects Ellis’ commitment to excellence in each stage of life.

Ellis is a life-long learner graduating Cum Laude from Chattanooga’s McCallie School for Boys. Subsequently, Ellis graduated Cum Laude from Georgia Institute of Technology (BS Electrical Engineering). While at Georgia Tech, Ellis excelled in two NCAA sports: a 3-year starter in both Football and Wrestling followed by a 3-year career in the NFL with Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Oilers and Indianapolis Colts. From 1985 through 1996 Ellis worked as an engineer and a technical sales rep visiting every major city in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southwest. In the mid-nineties with two small children at home, Ellis got off the road and earned his professional real estate licenses (TN & GA) achieving Circle of Excellence with Crye-Leike Realtors, Executive Club with RE/MAX and Top Tier Agent with Keller Williams. Since 2019 Ellis was recruited to teach Real Estate pre-licensing night-school while selling homes during the day.

Billie Parrott is a seasoned real estate leader, national speaker, and proud CRS designee known for bringing fresh perspective, real connection, and unstoppable energy to the Residential Real Estate Council. She’s passionate about bridging generations through education, engagement, and authentic communication. Encouraged by RRC members nationwide to serve at a higher level, Billie is recognized for her influence, creativity, and proven leadership. She believes deeply in the value of the CRS designation and wants every member—present and future—to experience the same pride, growth, and belonging it has brought to her career.

With 16 years as a REALTOR®, six years as a CRS designee, and nearly three decades as a wife and mom of three, Billie leads with heart, humor, and a commitment to ensuring all voices are heard.

Her goals for serving RRC include:

1.    Strengthening Member Value: Delivering relevant education and programs that meet today’s agents where they are.

2.    Expanding Engagement: Especially with the next generation, helping them understand the power and opportunity of earning their CRS.

3.    Championing Leadership Development: Encouraging members to grow, step up, and serve with confidence.

Leadership & Service Highlights:
•    2025 President, Billings Association of REALTORS®
•    NAR YPN Advisory Board
•    2025–2026 RRC Next Gen Advisory Committee
•    Past Montana RRC Education Leader & 2026 Montana RRC President
•    Montana Association of REALTORS® State Director
•    NAR MLS Policies & Issues Committee; Past Federal Taxation Committee
•    Past Montana & Billings YPN Chair
•    MAR Professional Development Committee
•    Graduate: NAR Leadership Academy (2024) & MAR Leadership Academy (2022)
•    RRF Ambassador
•    BAR Executive, Budget & Finance, Education, and Quality of Life Committees
•    Presidents Circle – RPAC Major Investor, Montana RPAC Hall of Fame
•    International/National Speaker & Instructor at Montana School of Real Estate
•    Past President, Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley (2022–2023)

John Young is a proud CRS, REALTOR®, national speaker, and respected industry leader with more than 35 years of sales experience and over two decades as a top-producing real estate professional. Licensed in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, he has closed more than $200M and has been recognized as a Top Agent by Washingtonian magazine for ten consecutive years. His accomplishments include the RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award and the RE/MAX Hall of Fame designation which recognize his consistent excellence and client-focused service.

A dedicated volunteer and leader, John has contributed extensively to the Residential Real Estate Council since earning his CRS designation in 2016. His service includes roles as a Presidential Advisory Group member (2019), Maryland/DC State President (2020), elected member of the RRC Board of Directors (2021–2022), Region 5 Regional Vice President (2023), and his current position as Chair of the Leadership Development and Training Committee. 

John is also widely recognized as a national educator. He has presented at the NAR Conference & Expo, RE/MAX R4, Sell-a-bration, Triple Play, and more than 40 state and local associations nationwide. With more than 150 hours of instruction taught—including 90 hours of continuing education—he is licensed or certified to teach CE in nine states. In 2024, he was honored with a Maryland REALTORS Leadership Award for his work advancing industry education in fair housing.

John’s passion for inclusion is rooted in personal experience. In 2009, he and his wife became parents to a non-verbal daughter with autism—an event that transformed his personal life and profoundly influenced his professional mission. This journey led him to develop and deliver specialized training on serving clients with special needs, blending practical instruction with empathy-driven insight. His presentations inspire agents to broaden their understanding, elevate their service, and ensure accessibility for all clients.

Across every role—as a REALTOR®, speaker, leader, and advocate—John brings compassion, responsibility, service and a deep commitment to helping others succeed. He looks forward to leading the Residential Real Estate Council with these same guiding principles, strengthening the organization for all members.

Greetings, Residential Real Estate Council Family!

I am Marvette Artis, a proud native of Washington, North Carolina who has called Greensboro, North Carolina, home for over 40 years, I am a dedicated community servant leader, collaborator, and trusted advocate. I have been a NC REALTOR® (NCR) since 2014, a member of Residential Real Estate Council (RRC) since 2018 and received the Certified Real Estate Specialist (CRS) designation in 2019. I’m not just a committed community servant leader; but an inclusive leader who listens, engages, and takes action to ensure our voices are heard at every level. I will continue to support and encourage our RRC State leaders and members grow and thrive in this ever-evolving industry.

My experience in real estate and leadership roles include: the NC Residential Real Estate Council (RRC) President (2025, 2024); Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Association (GRRA) President (2024 ), National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Leadership Academy graduate (2024); NC RRC President-Elect/Networking Leader (2023); Finance Leader (2022, 2021) and NC William C Bass Leadership Academy graduate (2018). Marvette received the NCR Regional Service Award (2025); CRS of the Year (2023); NCR RPAC Chairman’s Award (2020); GRRA President’s Award (2020); GRRA Committee Member of the Year (2020, 2017). A strong advocate for REALTORS®, communities, and our industry, I have been a RPAC Major Investor and President’s Circle member since 2017, Golden R investor since 2020, and RPAC Hall of Fame inductee since 2024, I champion the voice of REALTORS with energy and purpose and empower members to stay ahead of legislative shifts, and push for continuous professional growth. If elected as a Board Director, I will champion policies, education, and initiatives that support our members’ success, amplify their voices, and guide our organization with the same focus, energy, and determination I bring to RPAC.

The heartbeat of Residential Real Estate Council is our members, and I am committed to continue to passionately support and uplift each other through experience, leadership, and heart.

I, Marvette Artis, humbly ask for your support and your vote. Your Vote Matters! Vote Marvette Artis.. YOUR Residential Real Estate Council Board of Directors.

For more than 30 years, Fran Bixler has served as a trusted REALTOR®, respected community leader, and an advocate for property rights, with roots in Naperville and the surrounding suburbs. She has built a referral-based business by guiding clients through major life transitions. For Fran, it has always been about real relationships, real leadership, and real resolutions.

Among the credentials Fran has earned, the CRS is the one she treasures most. It launched her current leadership path. Fran stepped into RRC leadership as the 2021 Finance Leader, followed by two years as Illinois State President—partnering with local associations, expanding into new areas, and improving member experience, often onboarding members to help them understand their benefits. Her efforts were recognized nationally and locally when she was awarded the 2023 National State Leader of the Year and 2023 Illinois CRS of the Year.

Between her leadership roles, Fran has earned every RRC certification. She is also the co-author of the Divorce Specialist Certification, contributing directly to RRC’s educational footprint. She was the 2024 RVP for Region 6; now begins her second year as Region 1 RVP, continuing her commitment to a member-first approach. If it matters to members, it matters to Fran.

She is a dedicated member of Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS®, one of the country’s larger local associations. Its size, comparable to RRC, has given her insight into balancing member needs with budgeting and resources. She remains committed to Professional Standards, Government Affairs, and Professional Development throughout the REALTOR® organizations.

Fran is invested in local leadership, with nearly a decade as an HOA President, served on her Planning & Zoning Commission, spoken before city/county councils, and participates in Safe Suburbs, a bipartisan PAC supporting community safety candidates. Her continued leadership in her communities makes her a trusted voice.

On a personal note, Fran was her mother’s primary caregiver for over 10 years—while raising her two daughters and working as a REALTOR®. That experience grounded her values in treating others with dignity, patience, and grace. Her favorite hobbies are unmistakably her: strong coffee, great spreadsheets, and anything involving RRC education.

For more than two decades, I’ve built my real estate career—and my service to our Realtor community—around a simple truth: leadership starts with listening. Our greatest strength has always been the dedication of our members who work every day to raise the bar for our industry. Calling ourselves the “Gold Standard” only matters if we live it, support one another, and stay committed to excellence. Earning my CRS designation was one of the most meaningful moments in my career, and the relationships I’ve built with people who share that vision continue to shape me.

Within RRC, I’ve had the honor of serving as State President, participating in a President’s Advisory Group that examined our organization from top to bottom, and now serving as RVP for Region 6. Outside of RRC, I’ve served on the Board of Directors for the Minneapolis Area Realtors and had the privilege of being President in 2023. No matter the role, my goal has always been the same: to make a positive difference for the people I serve.

My leadership style is rooted in clarity, collaboration, and steady forward momentum. I believe great ideas rise when people feel truly heard, and great results happen when we move together. Our organization thrives when we bring out the best in each other and create space for new leaders to step forward.

What excites me most about the future is the opportunity in front of us. This is our moment to reimagine member value, anticipate where our industry is heading, and lead with vision and purpose. Staying the “Gold Standard” means taking an honest look at what we do well and what we can do better—and committing to both.

Giving back also means a lot to me. For 40 years, my family has hosted our Toys for Tots party, now topping 15,000 donated toys.

If you have questions or want to connect, call, text, or email me anytime.

I’d be honored to have your vote for the RRC Board of Directors 2027.

Kara Wootson is a Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker Realty. Her concierge-level approach to real estate has been her success in the Florida market. A 10-year industry pro with a multimillion-dollar track record and a wall of five-star reviews; Kara prides herself as a matchmaker for people and properties. She’s gone from Top-Producing Sales on the Emeral Coast, to Managing Broker in SW Florida.  

Before curating Gulf Coast lifestyles, Kara owned KB Cookin’ Inc. in New York & Atlanta, blending her culinary training and nutrition background into a personal-chef and catering business. Today she channels that same intentionality into real estate—thoughtfully preparing each listing, staging every showing like an event, and serving up data, joint-venture strategy, and honesty with a side of humor.  

Kara’s business is built on integrity and a reputation for honesty and relentless follow-through. Whether she’s listing, selling or helping investors build portfolios, Kara makes complex transactions feel simple, transparent, and even fun.  

A proud Wife & Mom, her favorite success story isn’t career related-it’s her teenage son, elite swimmer Blair Wootson. Blair is a record-breaking high school and club swimmer, Sarasota Sharks standout, Speedo ambassador, and founder of Swim 50 for Change, a charitable initiative using the sport to promote diversity and social impact. His drive inspires Kara’s own leadership and advocacy. She supports causes that matter and elevates the community. Girls Inc and Planned Parenthood being Organizations getting most of her attention currently. 

Kara brings both business acumen and sensibility to every aspect of her life. She holds designations for CRS, GRI, ABR, AHWD, MRP, RSPS, and e-PRO, and is an RPAC Major Investor. She uses that expertise to fiercely protect her clients. From NW Florida to the cultural coast of Sarasota, Buyers, Sellers and Agents alike benefit from business planning to investment property finds and Beach Front Condo finds.  

When she's not working, you'll find Kara exploring restaurants, planning events, or cheering poolside at a swim meet. As it relates to her life & Industry; it’s a high-touch, high-service business where every move should feel intentional, elegant, and a little bit unforgettable.